The Producers Bar - Fringe Venue in Focus

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The Producers On Grenfell is a spot that has always been a hub of creatives, artsy stuff and, of course, delicious pub grub and booze. With its heritage-style architecture and its location on the edge of the city, whilst still being in the heart of the city, it is an appealing venue from all accounts.

With the Adelaide Fringe in full swing, the Producers has been brought back to life, thanks to the venue managers Marcel Blanch de Wilt and Eleanor Stankiewicz. With a beautiful and diverse array of acts and shows that are currently playing at this gorgeous venue, I was able to interview the power duo about how Adelaide Fringe and the Producers have worked so brilliantly for the last 5 years - have a read of our exchange below:

Tema: Who are the faces behind The Producers around Adelaide Fringe season?
Eleanor: We are a married couple who met back in 2009 during the Adelaide Fringe! We've both been involved for years at the festival (this is Marcel's 10th year producing a show at Adelaide Fringe). This passion for what Fringe brings to Adelaide, plus our love of Fringe artists and audiences naturally led to putting together a venue. Marcel started running the Fringe events at The Producers in 2014 and Eleanor joined in 2017. We enjoy creating an alternative, independent venue that prides itself on community and providing an awesome environment for cult hits, Fringe faves and tomorrow's household names.



Tema: How did you decide on running this beautiful venue?
Eleanor: I had the venue recommended to me by my friend Danielle when I was looking for a place to run. It was just good timing. Five years later, I haven't looked back! We love providing a place for artists to concentrate on their show. We've heard enough nightmare stories from venues that create all sorts of challenges for their artists. Fringe is already stressful enough so we pride ourselves on being a venue run by artists for artists.

Tema: How did you get involved with Adelaide Fringe as a Fringe venue?
Eleanor: In 2010, we visited Edinburgh Fringe and it was amazing; all the different hub venues around the place. Everything becomes a performance space: bars, laneways, cupboards... you name it, it was probably a venue! Back in Adelaide, there was a real need for more hub venues. Especially ones that could cater to artists at a variety of levels. A true "Fringey" sort of place. Our venue is also perfectly located close to the Fringe epicentre. It has been a continual process building The Producers into the five space hub that it is today, a true labour of love as all things Fringe are!



Tema: What shows have you got lined up for Adelaide Fringe 2018?
%%Eleanor: Clowning, stand-up, theatre, music, story-telling and sketch, we almost have one of every genre on offer.
We have over 50 shows from around Australia and the world. A few particularly note-worthy ones include:
Elf Lyons: Swan which was nominated for Best Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe
Gravity Boots a cult-fave and for those who are into bizarre sketch
Fran Middleton: Franny Pack if award-nominated clowning takes your fancy
Kel Balnaves: Yeah, Good on Ya if you're after crowd-pleasing solid stand-up.%%

Tema: What is the ideal experience that you hope visitors and customers of The Producers to have?
Eleanor: To see something outside of the mainstream. We hope people will discover their new favourite act. They just have to come and find them. Enjoy a drink, see a show, enjoy another drink, another show and make sure you stick around to meet the artists and tell them how fabulous they are. Make a night of it. It's just not the Fringe if you only come to see one show. Seeing one you know and one you don't is usually a good rule!

Tema: How would you describe the vibe at The Producers during Fringe?
Eleanor: The vibe at The Producers during Fringe is warm, friendly and inviting. We like to make it a place for artists and audiences to hang-out and relax between shows. Last year, 10, 000 tickets were sold at our venue so it becomes a real hive of activity.



Tema: Are there a number of areas within The Producers that you'd like to point out as social zones?
Eleanor: Come and enjoy a drink out the front and watch the festive characters roll by. You never know who you might see (or who you might get to share a drink with)!

Tema: Is there anything else that you'd like our readers and your customers to know about The Producers?
Eleanor: We're super proud of the reputation we've built over the five years. We hope more and more people come visit and find out what we're all about.

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